An Angus care home worker’s devastated son has spoken of the loss of “one of life’s great people” after his mother fell victim to the pandemic.
Janet Livingston had tested negative for Covid-19, but the 60-year-old suffered a rapid deterioration in her health and died just a few days after being rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
Her son, Jamie, said the community had lost “someone who put others before herself her whole life.”
Janet worked at Fordmill care home in Montrose, whose operators expressed their sadness over the loss of the “much loved member of staff”.
Mr Livingston, 25, who lived with his mum in the village of Ferryden on the south edge of the Angus town, said she had become unwell last month.
“She just felt she had a head cold, which sort of got better, but she then deteriorated really quickly,” he said.
Mrs Livingston was taken by ambulance to Ninewells on April 18 and died on April 20.
Her funeral service took place on Monday and Mr Livingston said he is planning a memorial service for her after pandemic restrictions are lifted.
“It was a nice service with wider family but I am going to have a proper memorial service for her at some time in the future so we can all remember her.
“Mum received absolutely excellent care in Ninewells but because of the way this thing appears, there was nothing that could be done for her.
“Unfortunately she was just one of those unlucky people in this whole situation.
“My mum was a carer all her working career and put other people before herself all the time. She was just one of life’s great people.
“It has been an extremely difficult situation but there is no blame here. I cannot commend Fordmill enough for their care and support, they have been beyond reproach in all of this.”
A spokesman for home operators Barchester Healthcare said: “We can confirm that a member of staff has sadly passed away and offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends who have lost a loved one in this awful pandemic.
“This individual was a much loved member of the care team who treated residents with kindness and respect.
“It has not been confirmed that this death was caused by COVID-19 and we do not feel it is appropriate to speculate about this.
“We respect the privacy of our residents and staff in all matters and can therefore make no further comment at this stage.”
